OP - Thank you. Are the teachers motivated? Are the kids happy and engaged? Is the school welcoming to new families? Is the vibe a positive one?

^Also some neighborhoods are already broken up. This isn’t new.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jamestown has a FARMS rate of 4.57% (county average 30.13%) and is 79% white (county average 44.1%). So yeah, those are the stats. Do what you want with them.

Arlington county is 70% white, per the census. Not sure where you get 44.1% but you are wrong

It’s because some people are using the APS stats. This is a discussion about the public schools so some people are using the demographics of the student population. A PP pointed this out.

They shouldn’t though — it’s misleading. The county figures are a much better comparison and desirable benchmark.

Why?

Because schools should reflect their communities. The issue with dramatically different demographics within the schools is a different policy question.

This is such a confusing point to me. Why is Arlington the community Jamestown should reflect? It is because that is who pays taxes for it? I’m serious.

Jamestown does reflect one “community” around it, the neighborhood community.

Is the notion here that APS should/does have some racial goal (eg 70% white or 42%) in districting schools? That seems wrong at some level, but perhaps I am not thinking about it correctly.

DP. I don’t think there should be a hard goal, but I do think it’s worth exploring why some schools should be 80 percent free and reduced lunch and some less than 4 percent. This is where most of the diversity comes from. I think the goal should be something better than this. Nobody should walk into a publicly-funded space and feel uncomfortable because it’s so segregated. Does that make sense?

It does, but I think I disagree with you that’s it’s worth exploring why this disparity occurs. I *believe* it’s based on the geography of where these kids live. But, please let me know if that assumption is incorrect.

And, if I am right, I guess I would say I am against busing kids and breaking up neighborhood schools to achieve economic parity amongst kids.

It’s based on geography and housing policy and I personally think politics. I also think some places that aren’t in a walk zone for any school could have different busing options, but I don’t know all those details. And how are the option schools affecting the neighborhood schools?

If you’re against busing kids, would you support affordable housing in your neighborhood school zone? Or increasing lower priced market rate housing through zoning changes.

I don’t believe things can’t be improved. I just don’t.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jamestown has a FARMS rate of 4.57% (county average 30.13%) and is 79% white (county average 44.1%). So yeah, those are the stats. Do what you want with them.

Arlington county is 70% white, per the census. Not sure where you get 44.1% but you are wrong

It’s because some people are using the APS stats. This is a discussion about the public schools so some people are using the demographics of the student population. A PP pointed this out.

They shouldn’t though — it’s misleading. The county figures are a much better comparison and desirable benchmark.

Why?

Because schools should reflect their communities. The issue with dramatically different demographics within the schools is a different policy question.

This is such a confusing point to me. Why is Arlington the community Jamestown should reflect? It is because that is who pays taxes for it? I’m serious.

Jamestown does reflect one “community” around it, the neighborhood community.

Is the notion here that APS should/does have some racial goal (eg 70% white or 42%) in districting schools? That seems wrong at some level, but perhaps I am not thinking about it correctly.

DP. I don’t think there should be a hard goal, but I do think it’s worth exploring why some schools should be 80 percent free and reduced lunch and some less than 4 percent. This is where most of the diversity comes from. I think the goal should be something better than this. Nobody should walk into a publicly-funded space and feel uncomfortable because it’s so segregated. Does that make sense?

It does, but I think I disagree with you that’s it’s worth exploring why this disparity occurs. I *believe* it’s based on the geography of where these kids live. But, please let me know if that assumption is incorrect.

And, if I am right, I guess I would say I am against busing kids and breaking up neighborhood schools to achieve economic parity amongst kids.

^^^. I’ll just also add that the educational opportunities are different when the disparities are this pronounced. This doesn’t feel right to me, especially in a small wealthy county.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jamestown has a FARMS rate of 4.57% (county average 30.13%) and is 79% white (county average 44.1%). So yeah, those are the stats. Do what you want with them.

Arlington county is 70% white, per the census. Not sure where you get 44.1% but you are wrong

It’s because some people are using the APS stats. This is a discussion about the public schools so some people are using the demographics of the student population. A PP pointed this out.

They shouldn’t though — it’s misleading. The county figures are a much better comparison and desirable benchmark.

Why?

Because schools should reflect their communities. The issue with dramatically different demographics within the schools is a different policy question.

This is such a confusing point to me. Why is Arlington the community Jamestown should reflect? It is because that is who pays taxes for it? I’m serious.

Jamestown does reflect one “community” around it, the neighborhood community.

Is the notion here that APS should/does have some racial goal (eg 70% white or 42%) in districting schools? That seems wrong at some level, but perhaps I am not thinking about it correctly.

DP. I don’t think there should be a hard goal, but I do think it’s worth exploring why some schools should be 80 percent free and reduced lunch and some less than 4 percent. This is where most of the diversity comes from. I think the goal should be something better than this. Nobody should walk into a publicly-funded space and feel uncomfortable because it’s so segregated. Does that make sense?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jamestown has a FARMS rate of 4.57% (county average 30.13%) and is 79% white (county average 44.1%). So yeah, those are the stats. Do what you want with them.

Arlington county is 70% white, per the census. Not sure where you get 44.1% but you are wrong

It’s because some people are using the APS stats. This is a discussion about the public schools so some people are using the demographics of the student population. A PP pointed this out.

They shouldn’t though — it’s misleading. The county figures are a much better comparison and desirable benchmark.

Why?

Because schools should reflect their communities. The issue with dramatically different demographics within the schools is a different policy question.

The fact is that only 44% of APS students are white but 70% of the population of Arlington County is white. Do you see that as a problem? I don't really get where you're going with this.

Yea, it’s a problem, just not in the way you seem to think it is.

Nobody knows what you’re talking about. Are you uncomfortable posting your views anonymously online?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s the whitest, wealthiest ES in Arlington. There are PTA events at the country club. If you are a family of color, your kids may not meet any classmates who look like them.

Your tone suggests that these are negatives.

They are negatives.

Maybe to you. Most reasonable people would consider those features, not a bug. It is a very good school, in part because of those reasons.

This poster has to be a troll.

Why would I be a troll? My children went through Jamestown. I am genuinely offended at your disparagement of it for such trivial reasons. You truly should be ashamed of yourself.

Nobody disparaged you. Not everyone will find their people there because it’s highly segregated. It can have many good qualities but that’s a big issue for a lot of people. Adults can have these kinds of conversations without everyone taking offense. The people leaving for private school are even going to more diverse schools than Jamestown. That’s pretty exceptional.

I find it curious that people only complain about segregation when a school is majority white.

This is pretty much the most common complaint about some of the South Arlington schools: That they are segregated (not majority white). You are wrong.

No, those schools tend to be described as "diverse."

The irony is Yorktown, which is the pyramid into which Jamestown feeds, most closely matches the demographics of Arlington County as a whole.

Jamestown is a fantastic school. It's one thing to say if you are a person of color you might not find people who look like you -- that's fair. But outright disparaging it because of its demographics is pretty disgusting. PP did the latter.

Um. No. WL's demographics most closely match the demographics of APS students as a whole.

PP said demographics of Arlington as a whole (including non school age people) and you said demographics of APS as a whole (so just students). You're actually both right about your chosen metrics.

Schools should reflect the demographics of the school population; not their grandparents and young singles or DINKS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jamestown has a FARMS rate of 4.57% (county average 30.13%) and is 79% white (county average 44.1%). So yeah, those are the stats. Do what you want with them.

Arlington county is 70% white, per the census. Not sure where you get 44.1% but you are wrong

It’s because some people are using the APS stats. This is a discussion about the public schools so some people are using the demographics of the student population. A PP pointed this out.

They shouldn’t though — it’s misleading. The county figures are a much better comparison and desirable benchmark.

Why?

Because schools should reflect their communities. The issue with dramatically different demographics within the schools is a different policy question.

The fact is that only 44% of APS students are white but 70% of the population of Arlington County is white. Do you see that as a problem? I don't really get where you're going with this.

Yea, it’s a problem, just not in the way you seem to think it is.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jamestown has a FARMS rate of 4.57% (county average 30.13%) and is 79% white (county average 44.1%). So yeah, those are the stats. Do what you want with them.

Arlington county is 70% white, per the census. Not sure where you get 44.1% but you are wrong

It’s because some people are using the APS stats. This is a discussion about the public schools so some people are using the demographics of the student population. A PP pointed this out.

They shouldn’t though — it’s misleading. The county figures are a much better comparison and desirable benchmark.

Why?

Because schools should reflect their communities. The issue with dramatically different demographics within the schools is a different policy question.

Me 3. I’m also curious where you’re going with this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jamestown has a FARMS rate of 4.57% (county average 30.13%) and is 79% white (county average 44.1%). So yeah, those are the stats. Do what you want with them.

Arlington county is 70% white, per the census. Not sure where you get 44.1% but you are wrong

It’s because some people are using the APS stats. This is a discussion about the public schools so some people are using the demographics of the student population. A PP pointed this out.

They shouldn’t though — it’s misleading. The county figures are a much better comparison and desirable benchmark.

Why?

Because schools should reflect their communities. The issue with dramatically different demographics within the schools is a different policy question.

This is such a confusing point to me. Why is Arlington the community Jamestown should reflect? It is because that is who pays taxes for it? I’m serious.

Jamestown does reflect one “community” around it, the neighborhood community.

Is the notion here that APS should/does have some racial goal (eg 70% white or 42%) in districting schools? That seems wrong at some level, but perhaps I am not thinking about it correctly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jamestown has a FARMS rate of 4.57% (county average 30.13%) and is 79% white (county average 44.1%). So yeah, those are the stats. Do what you want with them.

Arlington county is 70% white, per the census. Not sure where you get 44.1% but you are wrong

It’s because some people are using the APS stats. This is a discussion about the public schools so some people are using the demographics of the student population. A PP pointed this out.

They shouldn’t though — it’s misleading. The county figures are a much better comparison and desirable benchmark.

Why?

Because schools should reflect their communities. The issue with dramatically different demographics within the schools is a different policy question.

The fact is that only 44% of APS students are white but 70% of the population of Arlington County is white. Do you see that as a problem? I don't really get where you're going with this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jamestown has a FARMS rate of 4.57% (county average 30.13%) and is 79% white (county average 44.1%). So yeah, those are the stats. Do what you want with them.

Arlington county is 70% white, per the census. Not sure where you get 44.1% but you are wrong

It’s because some people are using the APS stats. This is a discussion about the public schools so some people are using the demographics of the student population. A PP pointed this out.

They shouldn’t though — it’s misleading. The county figures are a much better comparison and desirable benchmark.

Why?

Because schools should reflect their communities. The issue with dramatically different demographics within the schools is a different policy question.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s the whitest, wealthiest ES in Arlington. There are PTA events at the country club. If you are a family of color, your kids may not meet any classmates who look like them.

Your tone suggests that these are negatives.

They are negatives.

Maybe to you. Most reasonable people would consider those features, not a bug. It is a very good school, in part because of those reasons.

This poster has to be a troll.

Why would I be a troll? My children went through Jamestown. I am genuinely offended at your disparagement of it for such trivial reasons. You truly should be ashamed of yourself.

Nobody disparaged you. Not everyone will find their people there because it’s highly segregated. It can have many good qualities but that’s a big issue for a lot of people. Adults can have these kinds of conversations without everyone taking offense. The people leaving for private school are even going to more diverse schools than Jamestown. That’s pretty exceptional.

I find it curious that people only complain about segregation when a school is majority white.

This is pretty much the most common complaint about some of the South Arlington schools: That they are segregated (not majority white). You are wrong.

No, those schools tend to be described as "diverse."

The irony is Yorktown, which is the pyramid into which Jamestown feeds, most closely matches the demographics of Arlington County as a whole.

Jamestown is a fantastic school. It's one thing to say if you are a person of color you might not find people who look like you -- that's fair. But outright disparaging it because of its demographics is pretty disgusting. PP did the latter.

Um. No. WL's demographics most closely match the demographics of APS students as a whole.

Interestingly, Yorktown demographics may shift since there are 100 percent affordable housing buildings approved for Rosslyn. The work on the first building starts this summer. Just a sidebar.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jamestown has a FARMS rate of 4.57% (county average 30.13%) and is 79% white (county average 44.1%). So yeah, those are the stats. Do what you want with them.

Arlington county is 70% white, per the census. Not sure where you get 44.1% but you are wrong

It’s because some people are using the APS stats. This is a discussion about the public schools so some people are using the demographics of the student population. A PP pointed this out.

They shouldn’t though — it’s misleading. The county figures are a much better comparison and desirable benchmark.

Why?